Monday, December 7, 2015

Lots to say - so I will just try to sum up ( #FamilyHistory )

~ Recently, late summer 2015, I was called to be an Assistant Stake Family History Specialist. It's a volunteer position, which we usually refer to as a "calling" at church. It is based upon the needs and promptings of the local leaders, and not so much skill. I could have said no, but I said yes. A musical calling, no brainer - YES, of course! ;)

~ Up to that moment, I had put about 3 hours total into "family history." Like, ever. (The sit at the computer and research type of "family history." I've done much recording and documenting for posterity, but that's not really what I'm talking about here.)

~ I can tell you that the excitement level for this position has not been through the roof. I'm not necessarily "bah humbug" about it, but also, am not very "yay me!"

~ Since receiving the assignment/calling, I have found the motivation/time/desire to dive into my own family history that needs to be done only a few times. It's really hard for me to feel, well, a couple of things. Hard for me to feel capable. Hard for me to feel like it is going to be fruitful. Hard for me to feel a strong desire. I have really lacked desire to do this. (By this, I mean two things... Do some personal family history work, and also, work at my calling...)

~ My mom has helped me so much with this. She's the most perfect example of how to move forward, day by day, and do the work that is Family History! She is amazing. When I watch her work at this, and teach me a little here and a little there of what she knows, I feel such a relief and comfort knowing that she's going to be there with an answer for any question I could ever have. Books will be written about her, either in this life or the next, but I'm not kidding. She's an angel on Earth. Books! Volumes!

~ Today, I have been home alone, and it has been unusually quiet. I don't really know why, but I haven't had the TV on, and I haven't even been playing music. That's really odd for me...

~ Also today, a few friends and I have been in a text conversation with one another. One friend has asked for the prayers and advice on a difficult matter from the rest of us. One very inspired friend shared the words from her heart, "If you ask Heavenly Father to help you, and quiet yourself enough to where you can hear the spirit speak to you, you will have answers and knowledge."

~ So, I got some work done, in the quiet, and was about to sit down and waste time online. Instead. I decided to do as my friend said to another, and pray for guidance as to what I should do. Let me say here that, with the noise of the TV or even beautiful Christmas music, I do not believe that I would have come to this decision. No sooner had I even THOUGHT to pray, like 1.5 seconds, that I felt the prompting to sign into familysearch.org and the answer for what I should do would be waiting for me. But what would I do? Yes, I'll be happy to sign in, but after that - I always struggle with this part.

~ I'm happy to report that as soon as I signed in, I noticed a "prompt" at the top of the homepage. It said "Click here to try our new experimental dashboard." So I did. And RIGHT THERE, a miraculous thing happened. Right before my eyes were the words: RECOMMENDED TASK. Right there, a recommendation came straight to me! So for about 5-10 minutes, I "reviewed and attached" an assortment of records. Some were pictures of tombstones. Some were marriage records. Some were death records. Some were places of residence. Review, (check it over,) and attach. Review, and attach. Review, and attach.

~ The takeaway. Even when you feel inadequate and practically unable to do that thing that you know you should, but don't really know how you will, there will be a way made for you to accomplish it. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi said, (1 Nephi 3:7-8)

7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: Iwillgo and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth nocommandmentsunto the children of men, save he shallpreparea way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.8 And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord.

~ I don't struggle with faith. But sometimes I struggle with moving forward and making changes. I get really comfortable, and comfortable is my happy place. This little push in the right direction today means a great deal to me, and I felt I should share it for posterity. The fruit of my little labor today is very small. But it is fruit. The end.